Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Communication


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Department Chair - Croft, Heaton

Professors - Croft, Heaton, Kennedy, Koch
Associate Professor - Gress
Instructor - Barsnack, Ravisankar


 

Today, as throughout history, the study of communication provides an individual with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete successfully within ever-changing social, technological and professional environments. In recognizing that the teaching of communication comprises the oldest organized academic discipline in Western civilization, the department is committed to the fusion of a liberal arts understanding of public and interpersonal communication with flexible professional programs adapted to individual needs and interests.

As faculty, we strive to help our students develop an appreciation for and understanding of (1) the historical development and relationship of public communication and human interaction, (2) communication media as social forces through which an individual interprets, modifies, controls and adjusts to the social environment, and (3) the aesthetically satisfying elements and successful performative characteristics of effective communication arts.

Internships, pre-professional programs, and co-curricular activities are promoted as an integral part of the student’s learning experience. Participation in debate and theatre is open to all students, regardless of major. 

The communication department offers the following major programs:

  • Communication Major
  • Theatre Studies Major
  • Communication Major with Education Licensure Arts - Students seeking Integrated Language Arts licensure (ILA) for Adolescent - Young Adults (AYA) should complete the requirements for the Communication major plus other course work required for licensure. (See Education for the additional requirements).

Minors are available in:

  • Film Studies
  • Organizational Communication
  • Performance Technology
  • Public Speaking
  • Theatre

Communication Program

We designed the Communication major to help students understand how human beings create and share meaning with each other. We also strive to give them the opportunities to put that knowledge to good use in their everyday lives. Excellent communication skills (interpersonal, group, public or intercultural) are valued components in leadership positions in business and professional areas. We encourage our majors to create a personalized profile of skills and knowledge for versatile use in a variety of fields.

Communication Learning Outcomes:

  1. Each communication major is able to prepare and deliver an effective public presentation that includes a clear message, coherent pattern, and needed supporting materials.
  2. Each communication major effectively demonstrates the ability to analyze critically a communication event or artifact from a theoretical perspective.
  3. Each communication major effectively demonstrates competence in a specific communication context.

Theatre Studies Program

The Theatre Studies major provides the student with theoretical and practical experiences in the various arts that, in a collaborative environment, become the art of theatre. Classroom and production training are offered to prepare students for work in regional or community theatres, liturgical drama, or graduate programs. We want our students to develop an appreciation for and an understanding of theatre as an art, a craft, and a tool of communication. To that end, our course offerings examine the traditions of the past and methods for creating the theatrical art of the future.

Theatre Studies Learning Outcomes:

  1. Each Theatre Studies major will prepare and deliver an effective presentation or performance that includes a clear message, coherent pattern, and needed supporting materials.
  2. Each Theatre Studies major will be able to critically analyze a theatre event or artifact from a theoretical perspective.
  3. Each Theatre Studies major will demonstrate competence in a specific theatre context.

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